Radiation is a form of energy that is present all around us.
Different types of radiation are around, some happen to have more energy than others.
Amounts of radiation let into the environment are measured in units called curies.
The amount of radiation that a person gets is measured in units called rem.
Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by managing radiation treatments.
Radiation Therapists make $74,980 a year.
They make $36.05 an hour.
The median wage is the wage that half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,950.
The top 10 percent earned more than $110,550.
You don’t need experience in a related occupation for this job.
There is no ‘on the job’ training.
There are currently 16,900 jobs available for this occupation.
The job out-look percentage is 20%, which is faster than average.
The risk of cancer increases as people age, so an aging population will increase need for radiation therapists.
Early diagnosis and the development of better treatment techniques will also increase employment.
The employment rate is about 3,400.
Radiation Therapists work in hospitals and cancer treatment centers.
You require an Associate’s Degree for this job.
They need to complete a formal training program.
Most programs lead to the Associate’s Degree, which is required, or a Bachelor’s Degree.
Therapists must be licensed in most states.
The examine machines to make sure they are safe and work properly.
They use automated external defibrillators.
They use linear accelerator compensation filters.
They use radiation therapy beam directing wedges.
They use multi-leaf radiation therapy collimators.
They explain treatment plans to the patient and answer questions about the treatment.
They follow the procedures to guarantee the safety of the patients, and themselves.
They give the patient x-rays to determine the area in which needs treatment.
They monitor the patient for unusual reactions to the treatment.
They also hold the detailed records of treatments.
Radiation Therapists are a part of the Oncology Team.
Most radiation therapists work full time.
They usually have procedures planned in advance, which helps them keep a regular work schedule.
They need to be detail oriented.
They need to be exact on measurements and instructions, to guarantee the patient to be neither, over exposed or under exposed.
The need Interpersonal Skills.
They need to be close with the patients.
They need to make patients feel comfortable, because they may be going through difficult physical and emotional stress.
Science Skills and Math Skills are required.
They must be capable of understanding Anatomy, Physiology, and other sciences.
They, sometimes, need to mix the right dose of chemicals used in imaging procedures.
They need good stamina, so they can help move and assist patients.
They need to be capable of being on their feet almost the entire time.
Radiation Therapists require technical skills.
They work with computers,
The also work with large pieces of technological equipment.
Experienced Radiation Therapists may advance and manage radiation therapy in cancer treatment centers.
They would need to follow the management responsibilities, and treat patients.
With experience you can teach others who want to become radiation therapists.
Other advancement opportunities include technical sales, and research.
With more training and certification, therapists also can become dosimetrists
Hourly wage for 10% is $24.62.
Annual wage for 10% is $51,210.
Hourly wage for 25% is $30.07.
Annual wage for 25% is $62,540.
Hourly wage for 50% is $36.84.
Annual wage for 50% is $76,630.
Hourly wage for 75% is $45.23.
Annual wage for 75% is $94,080
Hourly wage for 90% is $54.10.
Annual wage for 90% is $112,540.
General Medical and Surgical hospitals employment is 9,880.
Offices and Physicians employment is 5,070.
Outpatient care centers employment is 840.
Specialty hospitals employment is 710.
Colleges, University's and professional schools employment is 410.
California employment levels for this job are 1,590.
Florida employment levels for this job are 1,410.
Texas employment levels for this job are 990.
Pennsylvania employment levels for this job are 920.
Arizona employment levels for this job are 740.
They need to have healthy relationships with co-workers and not have a competitive outlook.
They need to be capable of tolerating stress, because patients may be difficult at times, and it their job to keep calm and help them as much as they can.
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291124.htm
http://americancancerfund.org/facts-about-cancer/cancer-and-radiation?gclid=CLqdtpPkqbICFUJx4AodXBsA4w
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/injury/radiation-sickness/overview.html
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